kärnbindning

Kärnbindning, often translated as nuclear binding or nuclear cohesion, refers to the force that holds the protons and neutrons (nucleons) together within the nucleus of an atom. This force is distinct from the electromagnetic force, which would cause the positively charged protons to repel each other and disintegrate the nucleus. The strong nuclear force is the fundamental interaction responsible for kärnbindning. It is a very short-range force, meaning it only operates over distances comparable to the size of an atomic nucleus. Despite its short range, it is incredibly powerful, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between protons. The balance between the attractive strong nuclear force and the repulsive electromagnetic force determines the stability of atomic nuclei. Factors such as the number of protons and neutrons, and their arrangement within the nucleus, influence the strength of the binding energy. A higher binding energy per nucleon generally indicates a more stable nucleus. This concept is crucial in understanding nuclear reactions like fission and fusion, where changes in nuclear binding energy are released as energy.